Improved apparatus for illuminating railroad-cars, steamers



w'. FOSTER, Jr. & e. P. GANSTER.

Apparatus for. Illuminating Raiiroad Cars, Steamers, &c.

Patnted Dec. 8,1868.

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NITED STATES ATENT Eric.

WILLIAM FOSTER, JR, AND GEORGE P. GANSTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATING RAILROAD-CARS, STEAMERS, dc.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 84,814, dated December 8, 1868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM FOSTER, J r., and GEORGE P. GANSTER, of the city and county of New York, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Illuminating Railroad Cars, Steamers, and the like moving structures; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

We employ a mixture of air with the vapor of gasoline or analogous volatile fluid, and conduct the same through properly-arranged tubes and burners. Our vaporizing apparatus is 0perated by a spring. Our gasoline is held absorbed by capillary attraction, so'that none is spilled or thrown upon the persons of passengers in case of accident. We provide means for re-enforcingt-he light toward the end 'of each journey, and for getting rid of the unevaporated remainder after each journey.

We will first describe what we consider the best means for carrying out our invention as applied to a railroad-car, and will afterward designate the points which we claim as new.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a side view; Fig. 2, a plan view; Fig. 3, a vertical section of the main portion, and Fig. 4 a vertical section of the lower part on a plane at right angles to the section in Fig. 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A is a casing of galvanized iron, which we prefer to make by soldering firmly at all the joints. The interior is divided into chambers, one above the other. The uppermost, B, contains a strong spiral spring, I), which, on being wound up by turning the arbor b, treasures the force or power required to operate the blowing means during the entire journey. This chamber also contains the gearing through which the power of the spring is properly transmitted to give a great number of rotations to a crank-shaft, c, in the chamber 0 below, which, by proper connections, work the levers of the dry gas-meter, or equivalent blowing mechanism, in the next chamber, D.

The blower, being familiar in mechanics, will be readily understood. The oscillating shafts or axes of the bellows in the blowing or quite filled with ordinary cotton wickingor analogous fibrous absorbent material, which performs the double function of absorbing and retaining the gasoline in such condition that it cannot flow in case of accident, and also of leading the fluid down and discharging it with proper uniformity into the space below, when required. The escape of the fluid in this manner is regulated by a cock, 6, controlled from the outside, as represented. This cock may be set wide open on filling the apparatus, and

the volatile fluid, after saturating the wicking c in the chamber E, accumulates in free condition and flows down into the chambers below. We can employ a separate passage for the rapid descent at this period, if preferred. After the filling is completed and the filling tube 0 is properly plugged, as represented, and time has been allowed for the free gasoline to flow down, the cock 6 is turned and the wet wicking is carefully guarded from evaporating influences until its aid is required,

as will be explained farther on.

The horizontal chambers below we have marked F G H I. There is a fixed partition extending across the principal portion of the space between the chambers F and G, immediately above which partition we place a movable partition or platform, (indicated by f.) There is a similar partition between the chambers G and H, and a similar movable partition, 9, above the same. The chambers H and I are separated by the movable partition h. Upon each of the movable partitions we place a quantity of sponge. The sponge absorbs the gasoline and presents it to be evaporated,

as required. To get rid of the residue of the suitable lever, applied outside, and by means of the cam j thereon lift forcibly on the stout vertical rod K, which passes up through the center of the horizontal partitions and movable platforms, as represented. There are pins k k on the rod K, which take hold of each of the movable partitions and compel them to rise with the rod K. The movable partitions should be made of cast-iron, corrugated sheet metal, or of other material so thick and strong as to be able to distribute the pressure received fromthis rod over .the entire surface and express the greater portion of the fluid from the sponge. The horizontal partitions are allperforated, and the expressed fluid flows down through them or around their edges.

The perforated pipe M leads up from a hole near one side of the base of the chamber G. A corresponding perforated pipe, N, leads up from a hole near the other side of the base of the chamber F, it being understood that the corresponding movable partitions f and g are adapted to fit loosely around these tubes and to slide readily up and down thereon. The air, loaded with vapor, is discharged from the chamber F through the pipe L, and is thence distributed throughout the car.

The operation of the apparatus will now be readily understood. The attendant turns the crank represented, applying the proper key, and winds the spring. The spring acts constantly upon the blowing mechanism, and in proportion as the burners are let on and gas consumed the blowing mechanism operates to maintain the supply of air. The air is driven down through the pipe outside of the case A, and, entering'the system of vaporizing-chambers, distributes itself first over and in contact with the wet sponge in the chamber H thence rises into the perforated pipe M, flows outward through the perforations, and distributes itself over the wet sponge in the chamber G; thence rises into the perforated pipe N, and, flowing through the perforations and distributing itself over the sponge in the chamber F, is discharged into the pipe L and led to the burners to be consumed. As the operation proceeds and the sponge becomes partially dry the attendant opens the cock 6 from the outside, and the fresh material in the wicking above commences to drip down, and maintains the richness of the gas. If, through any detention of trains or other cause, the apparatus is worked longer than usual, the light will become feeble, but under ordinary conditions it will bemaintained with vigor to the end of the journey. We prefer to so adapt the apparatus to the length of time in use that a considerable quantity of volatile material shall remain at the end of the route, in which case it may be simply replenished with fresh gasoline and the spring wound up as before; but if the material is nearly exhausted-the squeezing should be effected, as above described, previous to refilling. This operation of squeezing is necessary at intervals under any circumstances. The refuse expressed fluid descends, by gravity, to the bottom of the lowermost chamber, I, from whence it may be drawn out through a pipe, P, arranged as represented, and secured by a screw-plu g or otherwise. This allows the fluid to be all removed without risk of the escape of gas.

Instead of compelling all the gasoline descending from the chamber E to F in the act of filling to pass through the cock 0, a fixed tube, Q, may be employed at the center or any otherconvenient part of the chamber E, which, rising through the bottom, open atboth ends, allows the gasoline to descend freely through its open interior whenever the level of the gasoline rises above its top.

It will be readily understood that the aperture of the cock 0 is greatly obstructed by the presence of the wick c therein. It is not necessary that the cock should shut very tight when closed or should open very freely when open. The closing is effected by turning it so far as simply to compress the wicks. The opening should be very free if the tube Q is not employed.

Some of the advantages due to certain features of our invention may be separately enumerated, as follows:

First, by reason of the holding of the gasoline in the sponges, we are able materially to reduce the disastrous consequences of the rupture of the apparatus in case of a collision or other accident.

Second, byreason of the fact thatour sponges are mounted in the several distinct chambers F G H, one above the other, we are able more conveniently to wet the whole with the gasoline, and to drop the re-enforcing gasoline thereon near the end of the journey, and also to expose the air very effectually thereto.

Third, by reason of the employment of the perforated tubes N M, we are able to effectually prevent the sponges from clogging the holes at the bases of the tubes and to insure the more uniform distribution of the air in all directions through the whole.

Fourth, by reason of our movable platforms f g h, and means for forcibly elevating them, we are able to express with great force the refuse material from the sponges without opening the apparatus or disturbing its interior organization.

Fifth, by reason of the employment of the upright piece K and cam j, as represented, we are able to apply powerful compressive force within all the chambers by a single movement, and to maintain it for any desired period. It will be understood that the cam j should be sufficiently large and gradual to hold itself in position by friction against the piece K, and thus maintain the pressure for any length of time required.

Sixth, by reason of our chamberE and cock 6, we are able conveniently to re-enforce or furnish a supply of fresh material whenever it is found to be demanded.

Seventh, by reason of the wieking 6 we are able to control the introduction of there-enforcing material, and to insure its gradual and effective use without requiring inspection or any delicate adjustment of minute passages.

Eighth, by reason of the blowing by springpower, in combination with the holding of the gasoline in sponges, we produce an apparatus which is adapted to all the exigencies of a railroad-car or analogous moving structure, being relatively safe in case of accident, and capable of operating with equal efi'ect in inclined positions and when agitated and jolted.

Ninth, by reason of the employment or application of the system herein specified of lighting a car, we promote the convenience both of the passengers and of the attendants, and provide a strong and reasonably uniform light with less danger than any means of lighting such structure before known to us.

Having now fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to have secured to us by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. Holding the gasoline in sponge or equivalent absorbent material on movable plates, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth. A

2. Receiving the gasoline in sponges and exposing it to evaporation therefrom by holding the sponges in layers in the several chambers F G H, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

3. The perforated tubes N M, arranged as represented in the chambers F G, and to the absorbent material, arranged as and for the purposes herein specified.

at. The movable platforms j g, &c., in combination with the absorbent material, chambers 13 G, 820., and provisions for conducting the air back and forward through the same, and

adapted to be moved vertically by suitable means, as herein specified.

5. The upright K and cam j, in combination with the movable platforms f g, &c., and arranged to operate therewith in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

6. The re-enforcing-chamber E, containing a fresh supply of volatile fluid, arranged relatively to the evaporating-chambers F G, &c., and their connections, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

7. The wicking 6, arranged, as represented, relatively to the re-enforcing-chamber E, cock 6, and evaporating devices below, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

8. The combination of a spring-power or blowing mechanism, evaporating-space, and absorbent material therein, forming an organized machine adapted for use in railroad-cars and analagons moving structures, with the advantages and for the purposes herein specified.

9. The method herein described of illuminating moving structures by means of a portable gas apparatus holding volatile fluid in capillary tubes, and operating by a force independent of gravity and without disturbance from inertia, all constructed, combined, and arranged substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our names in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

-WM. FOSTER, JR.

GEO. P. GANSTER. Witnesses:

G. (l. LIVINGS,

W. C. DEY. 

